Annual Appeal

Dear Friend,

We know that these are trying economic times for all of us; but imagine what life is like right now for women in the developing world who struggle every day to nourish their children and bring health and dignity to their families. As wealthy nations find solutions to the economic crisis, we cannot leave the worlds voiceless and vulnerable behind. Their future depends on us -- now, more than ever.Population Action International (PAI) works on behalf of the more than 1 billion people who live and support their families on less than a dollar a day.

Join PAI by making a contribution now as we work to improve the lives of women and their families and secure vital resources for family planning, reproductive health, and HIV/AIDS prevention.

Why give to PAI?

More than 200 million women in the developing world have an unmet need for family planning (they would use modern contraception if it were available), and one woman dies every minute from pregnancy-related causes (which are largely preventable). It is estimated that meeting women's need for family planning could avert up to 40 percent of child deaths and prevent nearly half of all maternal deaths.

• Population dynamics are re-emerging as a prominent global issue as the world witnesses unprecedented climate change, food shortages, environmental degradation, rapid urbanization and largepockets of severe poverty.
• Evidence demonstrates that meeting women's need for family planning leads to increased education forgirls, decreased HIV infection, and less poverty.
• The world's most impoverished and disadvantaged peopleparticularly women and children overwhelmingly suffer during natural disasters, and will bear the brunt of the impact of climate change.

The evidence is clear: investment in family planning and reproductive health will save the lives of mothers and children and will help protect our planet. Join us, and be a part of the solution. Make your donation to PAI today.

With your support, PAI will:

• Leverage your contribution, persuading the United States government to contribute $1 Billion annually to programs and policies that will increase women's access to family planning and reproductive health services and supplies.
• Highlight the linkages between population dynamics and the world's most critical concernspoverty, environmental degradation, climate change and international security
• Expand a multi-year initiative to explore how population dynamics fit into the strategy to reduce and prevent the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities.
• Empower local people in developing countries to advocate for the reproductive health services,contraceptives, and HIV prevention programs they need.

With your help, we will ensure a healthier tomorrow for millions of women and their families who depend upon our success. Donate to PAI today. To read more about PAI's work, successes, and vision of the future, please read our full annual appeal letter.

Help us to expand our outreach by forwarding this message to friends and family members to let them know about the great work that's happening at PAI!

We thank you for your commitment to improving the lives of so many who can't speak for themselves. From everyone at PAI, we wish health, joy and prosperity to you, your loved ones and friends in 2009.